We get this call weekly, usually from someone who’s been quoted three different things by three different companies. The distinction is actually simple, and it was defined by the CSIA precisely so homeowners wouldn’t have to guess.
The one-question test
Has anything about your chimney, your appliance, or your ownership changed since the last inspection?
If no, a Level 1 inspection covers you: a visual check of all readily accessible parts, done annually, roughly an hour of your day.
If yes, any yes, you’re in Level 2 territory. That includes buying or selling the home, swapping appliances or fuel type, relining, a chimney fire, storm or hail damage, or anything else that changed the system or how it’s used.
What the Level 2 adds
Everything in a Level 1, plus two things that matter enormously in the changed-conditions scenarios:
The edge cases we actually see
“I just moved in and the seller had a Level 1 done.” A change of ownership is itself a changed condition. If the transaction didn’t include a Level 2, it’s worth getting one now, you have no history with this system.
“We had that big hail storm but the chimney looks fine.” Hail damage shows up first on the crown and cap, which you can’t evaluate from the ground. After a serious storm we’d rather scan and clear it than assume, especially since storm damage is often an insurance matter with a documentation clock running.
“The stove is new but the chimney is the same.” New appliance means new draft characteristics and clearance requirements, that’s a Level 2 by definition, and honestly the scan often catches liner issues the old appliance was masking.
Cost logic, without the runaround
A Level 2 costs more than a Level 1 because of the camera work and the extra areas examined, but the honest framing is this: the situations that require a Level 2 are exactly the situations where an unseen defect is most likely and most expensive. We quote both as fixed written prices before booking, ask us and you’ll have your number in one call.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Level 1 be upgraded mid-visit?
Yes. If a Level 1 turns up something the visual check can’t resolve, we’ll tell you on the spot and can usually run the camera the same day, you only ever pay the difference.
Is there a Level 3?
There is, for suspected concealed hazards that even a camera can’t confirm. It can involve opening masonry or wall sections, and it’s rare. We wrote a full guide to Level 3 inspections if you’ve been told you need one.